Computer Video Card Help Needed

[CycloneJames]

I've got a 3 year old HP desktop and the video card has gone bad just recently. I start up the computer and after 5 minutes or so the screen just goes blank (the monitor still works so it's not that). From looking on HP support forums I've found out that it is the video card that has gone out. The current video card is a 1 GB GeForce 9600 GS, and all I want to do is replace it. However, it looks like its pretty old, and they don't make them anymore. I don't do any major gaming or anything like that, I just need something simple so I can use the computer again. I've been trying to research these newer graphics cards, but I don't know much about them. How do you know if the video card will be compatible with my computer? The computer is an HP Pavilion m9600t.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[00clone]

Queue the Apple-ites with 'video cards don't go out on mac's' in 3...2....

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Your computer has these expansion slots:

PCI Express x16: 2
PCI Express x4: 1
PCI Express x1: 1


A video card to match the first one on the list is what you should look for.

Any from this list will be comparable to what you have:
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, PCI Express 2.0 x16

 

[ISUAgronomist]

I'd get a EVGA brand.

 

[KezClone]

Yeah, you can match or exceed your old card very, very economically.

 

[notengonacho1]

I'd get a EVGA brand.

I would also go for evga. I wouldn't get anything under 128 bit since that's what your old cards specs seems to be.

This would be my suggestion, it's not evga but will get you up and running again for not much money. Gigabytes not bad either: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-N430OC-1GL GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

 

[Iastfan112]

The most helpful tool for looking for a new graphics card:
Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart : Best Graphics Cards For The Money: May 2012

If you're just going to go replace your card and want equivalent performance I'd look at the AMD HD 6670. Nvidia's options on the lower end aren't particularly compelling at the moment(That 430 is below that you have now).
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R667D3-1GI Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card would be a good option.

Honestly though, it'd be worth considering upgrading to something like a AMD 6770/6790 or an Nvidia 550Ti. Nice performance boost for the cash imo.